2. Diagnostic methods

2.1 Cable faults

Before discussing diagnostic methods, we need to look at cable faults. The main field in which cable faults have been identified and analyzed is that of military avionics: for several years, the USAF (US Air Force) has been compiling the results of analyses of faults which have led to incidents (grounded aircraft, delayed take-off, etc.) or even accidents (smoke or fire in the cockpit, aircraft failure, etc.). An average of 3 cases of smoke per day have been reported in light transport aircraft (jets) in the USA and Canada alone.

Studies commissioned by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration, USA) have made it possible to categorize the various types of cable-related defects encountered on aircraft (figure